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Post by phoebear611 on Mar 14, 2013 16:15:44 GMT -8
Tap dancers and ballerinas on stage.....this is just absurd  |
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Post by artman1033 on Mar 14, 2013 16:21:15 GMT -8
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 16:22:28 GMT -8
First headline by CNBC: Has eye control function (for video): Yeah that's a big problem in everybody's world. Well if that's the highlight the bar is pretty low. Lot of writers on it right now trying to figure a good spin on this presentation. Should be interesting reading the reviews tomorrow. I lived in Korea for a few years and had a reputation as the "Land of not quite right". A term of endearment. That launch was the perfect example.
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Post by ibuyer on Mar 14, 2013 16:31:04 GMT -8
Yep, this is real competition folks. It's about software now, and Samsung has come out with some impressive stuff. Different people will find different features useful. And it is markedly different from Apple. On the software side, this is far more impressive than iOS 6 and iPhone 5. Apple seriously needs to up their software game. I totally agree about the software. Good news is that there is little "killer" features. Better news it seems like LTE seems like a "later" launch. |
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Post by tuffett on Mar 14, 2013 16:35:53 GMT -8
Yep, this is real competition folks. It's about software now, and Samsung has come out with some impressive stuff. Different people will find different features useful. And it is markedly different from Apple. On the software side, this is far more impressive than iOS 6 and iPhone 5. Apple seriously needs to up their software game. Okay tuffet. Promise to be honest, open etc... And not get into a slagging match; What features did you like? I didn't see the whole presentation so I am open. The health stuff is cool. The eye-tracking pausing is interested but I already mentioned how it could be good or bad. The translation feature is impressive and could be quite useful for travellers. On the hardware side, a larger screen, much bigger battery, 1080p display, thinner, lighter and under 1mm wider. Overall I'm impressed. It exceeds my expectations. I was also impressed by the iPhone 5 by the way. Not getting into a slagging match but also not pretending the iPhone is the only impressive device out there anymore. |
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 16:40:46 GMT -8
So first Galaxy users have to look a little ridiculous by holding what would seem to be a dessert plate up to their ears. Now the company enforces that perception by encouraging users to wave over the phone to flip pages using airborne gestures. Sorry I couldn't resist but I can't think of the utility of airborne gestures on a phone. For goodness sake solve something for people that is a problem or annoyance instead of party gimmicks.
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Post by artman1033 on Mar 14, 2013 16:41:38 GMT -8
from WSJ:By YUN-HEE KIM SUWON, South Korea—Samsung Electronics Co. 005930.SE -1.51% is coming off its strongest year ever, reporting record earnings and leapfrogging Apple Inc. AAPL +0.97% to become the world's biggest smartphone maker. Now, the main challenge for J.K. Shin, Samsung's 57-year-old mobile chief, is to keep that momentum as competition heats up and prices for smartphones start to erode. WSJ's Spencer Ante goes through the software features of the new Samsung Galaxy S4, pointing out which ones he thinks are worth while. (Photo: Samsung) Mr. Shin is betting big on Samsung's newest smartphone, the Galaxy S 4, which he unveiled Thursday onstage at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Backed by a sizable marketing campaign, the new phone showcases the company's yearlong effort to improve key software and applications that will help it compete better with Apple. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Shin addressed some of the major headwinds facing the company, including slowing economies in China and Europe—two of Samsung's biggest markets—and constant legal battles over patents with Apple. He also discussed Samsung's preference for Google Inc.'s GOOG -0.46% Android operating system over Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT +0.79% software, and its plans to launch a new smartphone this year using software co-developed with Intel Corp. INTC -0.02% Edited excerpts: WSJ: Why did you select New York as the venue to unveil the Galaxy S 4? Last year, you released the Galaxy S III model in Europe. Mr. Shin: We're now a global player in the smartphone market and a global company, and the U.S. is an important market for us. This is the first time we're holding our "unpacked" event in New York... Innovation is what will get consumers to buy new devices. I don't dwell on market share numbers, but I'm not satisfied with our market share in the U.S. WSJ: Samsung is embroiled in a number of patent lawsuits with Apple. Has that changed how you design products? Mr. Shin: The Galaxy S 4 has features unique to Samsung like [Air Gesture] that detects hand gestures. In the process of developing and making the Galaxy S 4, we have filed around 120 patents related to user interface and software. We've also hired a number of software engineers from India, Russia, China and Europe to develop unique features internally.WSJ: Samsung has been stepping up investments in other companies recently, including a 3% stake in Japanese display maker Sharp Corp. 6753.TO +0.33% Will you continue to look at investments and acquisitions? Mr. Shin: If there are opportunities, we will look. Acquisitions and stake investments have been part of Samsung's strategy for several years and we're always open to working with companies that want to work with us. WSJ: Which areas are most attractive for Samsung when it comes to acquisitions or investments? Mr. Shin: We're interested in intellectual property, advanced technology, components and areas that will enable us to offer better applications on smartphones. Wacom was previously a component supplier and now they've become a partner. If there are opportunities in the U.S., we will take a look at those as well but I cannot comment about talks or any deals in the works.
WSJ: How committed is Samsung to the low-end smartphone market, especially since margins are thinner there?
Mr. Shin: We're quite active in the low-end smartphone market and we will continue to compete in this area. In the U.S. for example, our main focus is selling the Galaxy line of high-end smartphones.
But we've also been selling phones as cheap as $19 through a contract with Verizon Wireless. AT&T T +0.71% and T-Mobile also offer smartphones for $50 to $100 in the U.S. market.
We're also pushing out new models in India, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia and Central America. We will continue to develop new models for the low-end market.
WSJ: Samsung has become a dominant maker of Android-based phones. Has your relationship with Google changed?
Mr. Shin: We like Android and we plan to continue our good relations with Google. I don't think it's correct to say that there's friction.
WSJ: What about your relationship with Microsoft? Has it changed after Nokia NOK1V.HE +0.15% began to work more closely with Microsoft on Windows devices?
Mr. Shin: Smartphones and tablets based on Microsoft's Windows operating system aren't selling very well. There is a preference in the market for Android. In Europe, we're also seeing lackluster demand for Windows-based products.
WSJ: Will you continue to invest in your own operating system called Bada?
Mr. Shin: We are in the process of merging Bada with Tizen [an open-source operating system being developed by Samsung and Intel Corp.]. You will likely see the first smartphone using Tizen from Samsung in the third quarter of this year.
WSJ: Why are you developing a Tizen phone when you have Android?
Mr. Shin: Our strategy has always been to work with multiple operating software companies. There are different needs from our customers and the market for third-party OS [operating system].
WSJ: How is Samsung's expansion into the enterprise market coming along?
Mr. Shin: We can't talk about specific corporate clients, but it's true we are pushing into the [business to business] market. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, we introduced a new containerized security system called Knox. This allows users to keep their personal and work data separately. There is plenty of room to grow in this market and we'll be rolling it out globally.
WSJ: What is the outlook for the smartphone market?
Mr. Shin: Market competition is intense but it has always been like that even three to five years ago. With economies in China and Europe slowing down, we don't expect market conditions to recover in the first half of this year and even the second half of the year is a bit uncertain.
But we aim to grow faster than the overall smartphone market this year and expect shipments to be higher than 400 million units this year. We've already sold 50 million units of the Galaxy S III since its launch last year.
WSJ: When are we likely to see a smartphone using flexible displays?
Mr. Shin: That's still far off. We know that many people are interested in this technology but it'll take some time and I cannot disclose the timing. |
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Post by artman1033 on Mar 14, 2013 16:45:14 GMT -8
So first Galaxy users have to look a little ridiculous by holding what would seem to be a dessert plate up to their ears. Now the company enforces that perception by encouraging users to wave over the phone to flip pages using airborne gestures. Sorry I couldn't resist but I can't think of the utility of airborne gestures on a phone. For goodness sake solve something for people that is a problem or annoyance instead of party gimmicks. I think the "air gesture" is neat! Please review the above video from CNET. The "air gesture" eliminates the need for a stylus. |
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Post by tuffett on Mar 14, 2013 16:48:28 GMT -8
So first Galaxy users have to look a little ridiculous by holding what would seem to be a dessert plate up to their ears. Now the company enforces that perception by encouraging users to wave over the phone to flip pages using airborne gestures. Sorry I couldn't resist but I can't think of the utility of airborne gestures on a phone. For goodness sake solve something for people that is a problem or annoyance instead of party gimmicks. I may be mistaken but the air gesture serves a purpose different from tapping. It brings up a preview of whatever app/program you hover over while staying in the existing window you're in. I assume tapping would take you out of the existing app to switch to whatever you tap on. Would I use it? Probably not. But lots of people will. |
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 16:49:14 GMT -8
Okay tuffet. Promise to be honest, open etc... And not get into a slagging match; What features did you like? I didn't see the whole presentation so I am open. The health stuff is cool. The eye-tracking pausing is interested but I already mentioned how it could be good or bad. The translation feature is impressive and could be quite useful for travellers. On the hardware side, a larger screen, much bigger battery, 1080p display, thinner, lighter and under 1mm wider. Overall I'm impressed. It exceeds my expectations. I was also impressed by the iPhone 5 by the way. Not getting into a slagging match but also not pretending the iPhone is the only impressive device out there anymore. I'm with you on the physical stuff. To get a bigger screen while basically keeping for factor is good. Most of the rest is available in apps today though. It's certainly the closest competition but IMHO hardly a leap over the iPhone 5. Still how that matters to revenue is to be seen. Apple's biggest missing piece is still a lower cost off contract phone but then I digress. It will be interesting given all the hype and expectation on how this is spun tomorrow as all I see is a bit of a letdown. |
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platon
Member
"All we can know is that we know nothing. And that's the height of human wisdom.? Tolstoy
Posts: 3,944
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Post by platon on Mar 14, 2013 16:50:27 GMT -8
... Should be noted most here got whiped out despite bringing guns to the gun fight and managing risk. ... I like your optimism, but I venture to say that most posters here that play options also own shares whether on margin or not and were not wiped out. Your call should make you money, but yes most options expire worthless. But, I do believe everyone responding to your post were just trying to help you by making recommendations that could mitigate your risk. I wish Roni still posted here because I liked his input regarding calls, especially deep in the money calls. I like Sponge's eternal optimism as well. Doesn't have to make sense to anyone but him and I agree that the responders were trying to mitigate his risk. Some are just a little more antagonistic than others but I do believe they mean well. Reminds me of the quote from Thomas Aquinas "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." Keep the positives coming Sponge I am hoping to quit seeking an explanation for these last 5 months. |
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Post by sponge on Mar 14, 2013 16:52:38 GMT -8
Once again. Nice features that I would use. The real question is how will they work. Without a real world demo with real people outside the studio, it is all vapor ware in my view. Saying it does something without showing it directly is not marketing that will last.
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 16:53:20 GMT -8
So first Galaxy users have to look a little ridiculous by holding what would seem to be a dessert plate up to their ears. Now the company enforces that perception by encouraging users to wave over the phone to flip pages using airborne gestures. Sorry I couldn't resist but I can't think of the utility of airborne gestures on a phone. For goodness sake solve something for people that is a problem or annoyance instead of party gimmicks. I think the "air gesture" is neat! Please review the above video from CNET. The "air gesture" eliminates the need for a stylus. I will read it. The only thing I can think of is there has been a few times when my hands are wet or dirty I wish I could access the phone BUT I imagine you have to touch it to wake it us so to speak before it accepts gestures if not I would be active al the time. Anyway I'll look at the review. Thanks |
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Post by tuffett on Mar 14, 2013 16:54:16 GMT -8
Sponge, you and I finally agree on something.
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Post by sponge on Mar 14, 2013 17:01:37 GMT -8
Art
Thanx for quoting the article. The interesting part is the smartphone growth concerns. It is hard to say if it is Samsung specific or market wide. He seems downright depressed about the growth for the full year.
On a separate note, they did compliment Apple with some features that Apple has had for while. The picture diary and Apple TV like cloud features. Samsung I think recognizes that the ecosystem is the key. The problem is that they are too late and developers will not build the right Apps given the lack of money.
Apples strength is in the future software that will be developed.
Every where I turn I see iOS adoption in the enterprise, public and corporate world.
Apple has a huge advantage in this head start. Think MS in 1988 and fast forward to 2010 when 90% of the world was windows.
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 17:05:27 GMT -8
from WSJ:WSJ: What about your relationship with Microsoft? Has it changed after Nokia NOK1V.HE +0.15% began to work more closely with Microsoft on Windows devices? Mr. Shin: Smartphones and tablets based on Microsoft's Windows operating system aren't selling very well. There is a preference in the market for Android. In Europe, we're also seeing lackluster demand for Windows-based products. WSJ: What is the outlook for the smartphone market? Mr. Shin: Market competition is intense but it has always been like that even three to five years ago. With economies in China and Europe slowing down, we don't expect market conditions to recover in the first half of this year and even the second half of the year is a bit uncertain. . Well he's a talker! Interesting two answers |
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Mav
Member
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Post by Mav on Mar 14, 2013 17:57:15 GMT -8
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 18:29:12 GMT -8
Damn. Haven't used the phone but that's about how I imagined the experience. Air gesture: useless. Eye scrolling: not really and inaccurate. Form factor: good. Display: very good. I do like the Knox feature and the email preview but have yet to use it to see if it lives up to the hype. I heard the price could be as low as 200 with a contract on US carriers.. If that's true that's pretty compelling and possibly more pressure on iPhone pricing to carriers. |
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Post by ahmpower on Mar 14, 2013 18:35:30 GMT -8
I agree with the second tweet. Not the first. Like Mav always says, Redler is a technicals guy. He should stick to that. Yup! ;D Aside from his technical knowledge/experience, what he says about Apple and AAPL shows that he is clearly not in love with the stock like the rest of us here. This is a quality that can save you from losing money. I guess that comes from being a pure trader. |
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mark
fire starter 
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Post by mark on Mar 14, 2013 18:44:16 GMT -8
Is it just me or is Apple slowly breaking out of its funk? We were $430 2 weeks ago, $432 today with only slight swings the last 2 weeks. While not great, it's a whole lot better than the brutal beatings we've been receiving the past few months. Don't some people (technicians?) call that "forming a base"? (presumably to move up from in the future) |
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Post by lovemyipad on Mar 14, 2013 18:56:52 GMT -8
Mark, I think of it as "continuation." In an uptrend, more up. In a downtrend, more down.
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Post by fas550 on Mar 14, 2013 19:24:06 GMT -8
Mark, I think of it as "continuation." In an uptrend, more up. In a downtrend, more down. +1 IMHO the bulls are NOT in control |
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mark
fire starter
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Post by mark on Mar 14, 2013 19:28:04 GMT -8
I see a sizeable dividend increase. I see dividend increasing by 22.8% to $3.50/Q. I also see a bigger buyback coming. I'm also often wrong, so take this with a boulder of salt ;D |
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Post by sponge on Mar 14, 2013 20:18:42 GMT -8
I see a sizeable dividend increase. I see dividend increasing by 22.8% to $3.50/Q. I also see a bigger buyback coming. I'm also often wrong, so take this with a boulder of salt ;D I expect 25% increase in dividend and an extra $10 billion in buyback. Will repeat again in 2014. |
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Post by seabiscuit on Mar 14, 2013 21:06:01 GMT -8
Given Apple's huge and growing cash hoard a strong base should be forming. Apple increased its cash by $13 billion last quater and paid $2.5 Billion in dividends. In the absence of a major increase in the dividend rate I expect cash to to increase at least $25 - 30 billion by the end of the fiscal year. Unless the market is thinking that Apple's revenue and profits are in a long-term decline the cash generation capabilty will increase the PPS.
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Post by applemuncher on Mar 14, 2013 21:19:59 GMT -8
I hope you guys are right. My fear is that it is the "hope" of a sizable dividend increase that is keeping PPS where it has been trading. I don't see a sizable dividend increase. Sponge, did you change your mind already? |
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Post by sponge on Mar 14, 2013 21:43:57 GMT -8
I don't see a sizable dividend increase. Sponge, did you change your mind already? 25% is not sizable. When the dividend was originally announced I expect it to double given how small it was. It is now evident that Apple wants to hang on to as much as cash as possible. I am still waiting for them to unleash the mobile payments system which they will need about $300Billion in the bank to get started. |
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Mav
Member
[img style="max-width:100%;" alt=" " src="http://www.forumup.it/images/smiles/simo.gif"]
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Post by Mav on Mar 14, 2013 23:35:42 GMT -8
Mark, I think of it as "continuation." In an uptrend, more up. In a downtrend, more down. Not sure you guys are talking the same thing. I think Mark is wondering if a bottoming pattern/whatever is in play. Meanwhile, you're using the "classic" (?) technical assumption. Personally, I'm in the middle. AAPL is genuinely starting to behave differently. But will it amount to anything that I can actually kinda trade to the upside without being a ninja day trader? That's what I'm looking for in the next 2-3 trading days, particularly given a chance of a cash conference call by next Monday or the Monday after that (more likely next week or not at all IMHO). |
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